Yes
Single eSIM, No expiry plans, Credits can be used in multiple countries
1115 Mbps (China)
🥉 3rd in United Kingdom
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
424 Mbps (UK)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
424 Mbps (UK)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
528 Mbps (Macau)
🥉 3rd in Malaysia
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
424 Mbps (UK)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
424 Mbps (UK)
Yes
165 Mbps (USA)
Yes
602 Mbps (Spain)
Yes
528 Mbps (Macau)
🥉 3rd in Malaysia
Yes
528 Mbps (Macau)
🥉 3rd in Malaysia
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
Calls available, SMS available
608 Mbps (Macau)
Yes
Single eSIM, No expiry plans, Credits can be used in multiple countries
1115 Mbps (China)
🥉 3rd in United Kingdom
Yes
797 Mbps (Portugal)
Yes
Calls available, VPN available, No expiry plans,
590 Mbps (Belgium)
🥇 1st in Hong Kong
🥇 1st in Indonesia
🥈 2nd in Belgium
🥉 3rd in Portugal
Yes
Single eSIM, Annual plans
897 Mbps (Portugal)
🥇 1st in South Korea
🥇 1st in United States
🥇 1st in Vietnam
🥈 2nd in Indonesia
🥈 2nd in Portugal
Yes
943 Mbps (UK)
Yes
Calls available, SMS available
959 Mbps (Korea)
🥇 1st in Belgium
🥇 1st in Malaysia
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
Single eSIM
504 Mbps (Belgium)
Yes
N/A
Yes
172 Mbps (USA)
Yes
Virtual location, Ad blocker, Web protection
753 Mbps (Korea)
🥇 1st in United Arab Emirates
🥇 1st in United Kingdom
Yes
64 Mbps (UK)
Yes
630 Mbps (Belgium)
Yes
Free trial
665 Mbps (France)
🥈 2nd in South Korea
🥉 3rd in France
Yes
Calls available, SMS available, Local number available, Free trial
1571 Mbps (Korea)
🥈 2nd in Malaysia
Yes
Calls available, VPN available, No expiry plans,
590 Mbps (Belgium)
🥇 1st in Hong Kong
🥇 1st in Indonesia
🥈 2nd in Belgium
🥉 3rd in Portugal
Yes
528 Mbps (Macau)
🥉 3rd in Malaysia
Yes
528 Mbps (Macau)
🥉 3rd in Malaysia
Yes
803 Mbps (UAE)
Yes
529 Mbps (USA)
Yes
Calls available, SMS available, Local numbers available in selected countries
329 Mbps (UK)
Yes
Free internet calls and SMS included
584 Mbps (Belgium)
🥈 2nd in Vietnam
🥉 3rd in Hong Kong
Yes
Single eSIM
862 Mbps (Korea)
🥇 1st in Colombia
🥇 1st in Portugal
🥈 2nd in France
🥈 2nd in Hong Kong
🥉 3rd in Indonesia
Network Speeds
No personally tested speed data is available for India. You can check Speedtest.net for general averages.
Cheapest & Average Price
| Data Amount | Average Price | Cheapest Price | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB data | $15.67 | $1.91 | |
| 3 GB data | $10.95 | $2.63 | |
| 5 GB data | $12.21 | $3.56 | |
| 10 GB data | $20.40 | $5.85 | |
| 20 GB data | $35.45 | $8.96 | |
| 30 GB data | $36.87 | $21.81 | |
| 50 GB data | $53.70 | $28.04 |
Country Affordability
India is cheaper than
66%
Of all countries
Affordability Rating (higher is better)
7
Out of 10
India is cheap when compared with eSIMs from other countries. Value is strong.
Networks in India
Jio (Reliance Jio) | Airtel (Bharti Airtel) | Vi (Vodafone Idea) | BSNL | MTNL
Review Scores
Data Calculator
Compatibility Checker
Exclusive Coupons
Real Life Insights in India
Get Online Before You Arrive
India’s app store rules can trip you up before you even get off the plane. Some travel eSIM apps have been removed from the Indian App Store and Google Play due to local regulations. If you install them before landing, they usually work without a hitch. But once you’re on the ground, you will not be able to download or update them. To avoid the headache, set everything up before your flight. If you forget, you will either need a VPN or a local SIM card.
Connectivity Is Generally Excellent but Cities Win
Mobile data in India is fast, cheap and widely available. Speeds in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are great for streaming, video calls and even tethering. But head into more remote regions and it gets patchy quickly. Trains and buses through rural areas often lose signal for stretches, so download your maps and travel documents in advance.
There are a few quirks worth knowing. Some travel eSIM plans do not allow hotspot usage, so check that before relying on it for work. Others do not include a local number, which can be an issue for receiving OTPs when booking trains or logging into apps. If you need a number, you will need to verify your ID and convert a local SIM to eSIM, which can take a few hours at best.
Most Blocks Are at the App Level Not the Network
India’s app restrictions focus mostly on unlicensed platforms being sold or downloaded inside the country. But internet access itself is not blocked. If your eSIM is installed and activated before you land, it usually keeps working because the data is routed through other countries. Still, carry a VPN just in case. It is a good fallback if something suddenly stops loading.
Public Transport Is Chaos and Comfort
Urban metros are clean, cheap and efficient. Big cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai have decent metro systems, and you can use metro cards or app based QR tickets. For intercity travel, trains are an adventure. Book in advance through IRCTC or Cleartrip and be ready for delays. The experience is iconic but far from seamless.
Auto rickshaws are part of daily life in most cities. Some use meters, others demand negotiation. It is often easier and safer to stick to ride apps. Airport taxis are prepaid and regulated, especially in larger cities.
Food and Groceries at Your Fingertips
Food delivery is massive in India. Expect blazing fast drop offs from a wide variety of restaurants, with tipping optional but appreciated. Most apps support everything from card payments to UPI and cash on delivery. You will also find instant grocery deliveries in metro areas, with some arriving in under 10 minutes.
If you are in a residential area, look for mom and pop cloud kitchens. These are not restaurants you can walk into, but they offer authentic home cooked meals through apps. Great for regional dishes that are not on tourist menus.
Getting Around Is App Dependent
Ola and Uber dominate most cities, and they are your best bet for predictable pricing and GPS tracking. Bike taxis are everywhere too and often faster in heavy traffic. If you are in a city like Bengaluru or Hyderabad, you will see people hopping onto the back of a motorbike with their grocery bags. Totally normal. One warning: bike taxis are technically banned in some areas, so expect occasional disruptions.
What Surprised Us
Using WhatsApp for everything from delivery drivers to hotel staff is the norm. Most official communication, even with businesses, happens over WhatsApp instead of SMS or calls.
The volume of app notifications is relentless. Everything wants access and everything wants to send alerts. Toggle permissions carefully or your phone will buzz nonstop.
Airport WiFi is unreliable. It is fine for checking your gate or messaging someone on arrival, but do not depend on it for downloads or large uploads. Have your data working before you touch down.
Local SIMs Are a Plan B
You can still buy a local SIM card at the airport. But be warned: it requires a passport, sometimes a visa, and a local verifier. Activation can take a couple of hours. It is not impossible, just tedious.
If your travel partner’s phone isn’t eSIM compatible, you can still share your connection. Use your phone’s personal hotspot feature to provide them with Wi-Fi in India, all powered by your single eSIM plan.
